I've known quite a lot of mares that have been bred from at three. Although I personally think they should be a little older, so they've had time to grow and mature themselves. But then this is just my opinion. :)

I'm very interested to see what other members think. :D

kristy

07-18-2007 07:58 PM

Why the rush?

Eventer Gal

07-19-2007 12:48 AM

Yeh why should they be a mum at 3yr - cruel i think. But if she is broken down yeh go ahead if that makes sense :lol:

desperate horsewife

07-19-2007 02:56 AM

Are you thinking of breeding your filly? What are her attributes that you feel need to be passed on? Has she got near flawless confirmation? Is she a bang up rail horse? What do you hope to accomplish with the breeding?

These are the questions one ought to be asking more than how old their horse should be. I think if you need to know if your horse is old enough, then you probably don't need to breed her. :wink:

The trouble with breeding horses just for the sake of having babies is that there are a lot of neglected horses out there already, and with no slaughter going on in the US, that means even more horses left starving out behind the barn, or turned loose to run wild.

But if all you want to know is whether or not she'll come through it okay, the answer is probably yes. She'll be a four year old by the time she foals, and most fillies/mares are capable of handling without any big issues. A lot will depend on where she is in her personal growth; a vet can help you determine that.

Just my opinion, of course! :)

Frog

07-19-2007 08:59 PM

I bred one of my old mares at three, though she did conceive she soon reabsorbed the embryo. This was not necessarily anything to do with her age though.

When I worked at a stud, we had an accident where one of the young colts broke out of his yard, bashing through 2 fences and jumping the last to arrive in the filly paddock, where he met a lovely 2yr old filly......

Apparently though he and his member were cut to ribbons, there was still enough enthusiasm to do the job! :wink: as 11 months and one very confuse stud mistress later (she didn't think he could have done the job) there, in the breaker barn, was a lovely foal. :shock: The filly was a mum at only 3.

Though she and foalie were all healthy, we feel it stunted the filliy's growth some what, as while her full sister was a comfy 16.2, she barely made 15h. She was a warmblood

I do not think that it is a physical can she, question. More of a morally, should she. For myself, if I have a young broodie, I'm leaving them till 4 to breed just to give them their own time to mature.

Sorry about the spiel
A

horse_luver4e

07-19-2007 10:01 PM

I don't want to breed my mare. I was just wondering becuase I to think that breeding a mare that young is cruel. Some people breed there mares at 2 yrs old! And then they keep having foals EVERY year till they are 20 or 21! That is awful!

Frog

07-19-2007 10:04 PM

It may be that some people treat mares like battery hens, but honestly in the wild, they will breed and stop breeding when they are ready.

Eventer Gal

07-20-2007 12:48 AM

Geez you were scaring me for a sec Horse_lover4e! Truely breeding such a young mare is cruel! iTS REALLY JUST LIKE A 14yr GIRL HAVEING HER FIRST CHILD. Discussting!! :x

kristy

07-20-2007 01:15 AM

Why is a 14 year old having a child disgusting? It's unfortunate in *my opinion*, yes.. but disgusting?